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3 firefighters don't meet requirements, board to consider change

Published: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 10:05 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 10:54 a.m.

The Gadsden Civil Service Board on Tuesday approved the hiring of a firefighter and a police officer, but delayed action on three other firefighters.

The board met in executive session for 45 minutes to discuss character and good name before approved the hiring of Jacob Entrekin, a certified police officer currently working for the Calhoun County Sheriff Department; and Jonathan Haney, a certified firefighter.

Haney's hiring is contingent on him passing a physical examination and other tests including a background check.

Three firefighter applicants hired at the board's last meeting, contingent on their passing physicals, did not meet the department's height and weight requirements.

They complained to the board that they already had quit their jobs and had been told they were hired prior to the doctor who conducted the physicals telling them they didn't meet the height and weight requirements.

They said they were in good health, had passed other parts of the physicals (none was given an EKG but they said they could have that done quickly) and had not been told height and weight requirements were involved.

Personnel Director Jerry Gladden said the height and weight requirements are only part of the department's physical exam.

Board members said a statement should be developed to make sure approved candidates understand they are being hired on the condition that they pass a physical.

The board will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday to look at the department's height and weight requirements and compare them to National Fire Protection Association standards. They will ask the doctor who administered the physicals to attend the meeting or provide a statement, then decide if the requirements should be changed.

The candidates asked the board to consider an exception and approve hiring them. One said he already has begun losing weight and that weight loss could be made a condition for their hiring.

<p>The Gadsden Civil Service Board on Tuesday approved the hiring of a firefighter and a police officer, but delayed action on three other firefighters.</p><p>The board met in executive session for 45 minutes to discuss character and good name before approved the hiring of Jacob Entrekin, a certified police officer currently working for the Calhoun County Sheriff Department; and Jonathan Haney, a certified firefighter.</p><p>Haney's hiring is contingent on him passing a physical examination and other tests including a background check.</p><p>Three firefighter applicants hired at the board's last meeting, contingent on their passing physicals, did not meet the department's height and weight requirements.</p><p>They complained to the board that they already had quit their jobs and had been told they were hired prior to the doctor who conducted the physicals telling them they didn't meet the height and weight requirements. </p><p>They said they were in good health, had passed other parts of the physicals (none was given an EKG but they said they could have that done quickly) and had not been told height and weight requirements were involved.</p><p>Personnel Director Jerry Gladden said the height and weight requirements are only part of the department's physical exam.</p><p>Board members said a statement should be developed to make sure approved candidates understand they are being hired on the condition that they pass a physical.</p><p>The board will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday to look at the department's height and weight requirements and compare them to National Fire Protection Association standards. They will ask the doctor who administered the physicals to attend the meeting or provide a statement, then decide if the requirements should be changed.</p><p>The candidates asked the board to consider an exception and approve hiring them. One said he already has begun losing weight and that weight loss could be made a condition for their hiring.</p>